Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC) announced that he will not run for reelection after the state's new congressional map was released.

The one-term congressman may however consider a challenge in 2026 against Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.

NC Democrat Wiley Nickel leaving House over redistricting, but is eyeing 2026 challenge to Sen. Tillis https://t.co/px7r7ZwlCd

— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) December 14, 2023

The announcement

"Republicans have rigged the system to favor themselves and I don’t have a path to run for re-election in the 13th district. But I’m not giving up and neither should you," Nickel said in a news release, according to Fox News.

"The release said Nickel, a lawyer and state senator from Cary before his 2022 victory, would now work next year to help get Democrats elected up and down the ballot, 'fight to end partisan gerrymandering, and explore a path forward in the U.S. Senate.'" it added.

NC Democrat Wiley Nickel leaving House over redistricting, but is eyeing 2026 challenge to Sen. Tillis - https://t.co/LjGIyqXgBh pic.twitter.com/solCifrzrP

— conservativeinsights.net (@coninsights_net) December 15, 2023

The background

"The 2022 elections were conducted under a map for the state’s 14 congressional seats drawn by state judges that resulted in Democrats and Republicans winning seven seats each," Congressional Insights reported.

"One of the seven belongs to Nickel, who narrowly won in the closely competitive Raleigh-area 13th District," it continued.

NEW: Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel to leave Congress after N.C. redistricting, teeing up 2026 Senate run >> https://t.co/OeQ437gPkM

— Ali Vitali (@alivitali) December 14, 2023

Joining North Carolina's retirements

"Nickel’s is the latest in a string of departures from this Congress, with several recent retirements coming from North Carolina’s Democratic House delegation, specifically, after new electoral maps were put in place in October," NBC News reported.

"Rep. Jeff Jackson has forgone his own re-election to run for statewide office in 2024, and Rep. Kathy Manning also opted not to run again," it noted.

Republicans in North Carolina appear energized over the recent announcement and fellow state Democrats announcing retirements. Democratic Reps. Jeff Jackson and Kathy Manning are also among those in the state not planning to run for reelection next year.

The shift could result in multiple seats gained in the state to help strengthen the majority of Republicans in the House after next year's election.

The new matchup is not year clear but the GOP hopes to pick up Nickel's old seat as it makes a strong push that could include a presidential rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.